Mechanical walker for invalids



Feb. 10, 1953 1 J. B. THIEMAN 2,627,904

MECHANICAL WALKERIFOR INVALIDS Filed Jan. 17, 1951 John B. Thieman JNVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 MECHANICAL WALKER FOR INVALIDS John B. Thieman, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor of one-third to Elmer F. Ries and one-third to Cecil L. Hall, both of Cincinnati, Ohio Application January 17, 1951, Serial No. 206,359

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mechanical devices and supports which are used as helpful aids by invalids, convalescent patients and others requiring same during the act of walking or equivalent locomotion, as the case may be. For the most part, devices in this category have come to be known as walkers, walking-aid frames and the like.

As the preceding statement of the invention implies, the art to which the invention relates'is made up of many varied styles and forms of so-called walkers. Some utilize an open frame structure with wheels for motivation purposes. Others use crutch-like leg means and so on. It is the obvious purpose of the instant invention to structurally, functionally and in other ways to imporve on known invalid walkers. More specifically, the invention has to do with a novelly constructed framework which is distinct in that it is characterized by runners provided with conveniently constructed and arranged uprights, the latter constructed to provide effectively available handles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a walker which takes the form of a unique frame structure, in which manufacturers, retailers and users will find their primary requirements fully met, contained and effectually available.

More specifically, novelty is predicated upon a framework which is characterized by a pair of inverted U-shaped frames or uprights. These have the lower ends of their limbs attached to spaced parallel runners. The runners serve to allow the user to glide and sled about on a floor covering, on a smooth lawn or other surface over which the runners may be slid without too much difficulty.

In carrying out the specific principles of the invention spaced parallel runners are employed and the opposite ends of the runners are curled upon themselves to define resilient springs. Lower ends of .the limbs of the U-frames are joined to these springs. The U-frames are braced and connected together in a relationship which permits the user to beconfined freely therebetween, minus the feeling that he is emulating a captive trudger.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical walker for invalids showing, in dotted lines, the manner in which the user catches hold of the handle means to support herself and to labori ously shuffle, trudge or otherwise advance on foot; and

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the walker, on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings by way of ref erence numerals and lead lines, the over-all framework is characterized primarily by two in: verted substantially U-shaped frames or uprights 4 and 8. These are duplicated in construction. Each frame is characterized by a curvate .bight portion 8 and downwardly and outwardly diverging limbs Ill and I2. The respective bight portions provide convenient, handles or hand-grips which are used as denoted by dotted lines in Figure 1. The lower ends of the respective frames are adapted to ride along, in a manner similar to sleds, on runners I4. The runners are identical and each comprises a fiat strip or bar of metal I6 which constitutes the runner proper. This is horizontally disposed and is adapted to glide over a covered floor, for example on a rug, over a linoleum covered surface or the like. The ends are transformed into inturned curls I8 and 29 which provide suitable springs and these have horizontal terminals 22 and 24 to which the lower ends of the limbs Ill and I2 are positively secured. The sled equipped frames or units are connected together in vertical spaced parallelism by braces. There is a horizontal top linearly straight brace 25 and thi is joined at its opposite ends to the upper portions of the front limbs I0I0. In addition there is an inverted V-shaped brace 28 and this has its vertex connected to the intermediate portion of brace 26 with its outer end portions connected respectively to the inner facing sides or surfaces of said limbs Ill-40. The braces combine with the frames in defining a portable enclosure for the user. The brace members are on a plane below the hand grips 8 so as not to in erfere with freedom of handling the device.

most instances, the runners will be placed flat on the fioor surface and shoved along by arm and leg power of the user. In other instances, the entire frame may be tilted forwardly or backwardly so as to assume a sort of an inclined position and to allow the forward springs to function as gliding shoes or the rearward springs to act in a somewhat corresponding way. Naturally, and depending on the impairment of the user, the device will be manipulated in various and somewhat indeterminable ways. In any event, the spring action of the runners joined with the uprights is valuable in that it provides the desired shock absorbing and" yielding characteristics desired. At the same time, the over-all construction is sufficiently rigid to enable an invalid who may be a1- most wholly incapacitated to raise and support;

himself by hands and arms on the handle portions of the side frames 4 and 6. construction is invaluable and helpful as a truly ingenious walking aid. The various instructions for use need not, it is believed, be detailed in customary step-by-ste manner here. It may be added, however, that the device is successful for practical use both indoors and out-of-doors.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considerin the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed comprising a pair of spaced parallel runners adapted to be shoved like sleds over a rug or equivalent fiOOr covered surface, said runners being provided at leading and trailing ends respectively with return bends providing individual resilient springs, a pair of opposed vertically dis posed frames, said frames having forward and rearward limbs, said limbs having lower end por- In fact, the Y tions rigidly connected with their respective springs, and horizontal brace means connecting the respective forward limbs of said frames to each other, said brace means being disposed adjacent to the upper ends of the respective frames.

2. A mechanical walker to support and assist convalescent patients and invalids in moving about comprising a pair of duplicate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frames, each frame embodying a forward limb and a rearward limb, said limbs being joined at their respective upper ends by a connective bight portion, said bight portion providing a hand-grip, horizontal braces interposed between the respective forward limbs of said U-shaped frames and rigidly connecting the frames together on a plane below the respective bight portions, and a pair of spaced parallel runners adapted to be shoved and slid over a rug, floor covering or fioor surface, one runner being provided for each frame, said runner spanning the'space between the respective forward and rearward limbs and projecting beyond the respective limbs and having resilient return bends providing springs, the lower ends of the respective limbs being rigidly joined with said springs.

JOHN B. THIEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 320,462 Cowing June 23, 1885 1,253,314 Warner Jan. 15, 1918 2,305,249 Frost Dec. 15, 1942 2,519,096 Additon Aug. 15, 1950 

